PRAYER

God, thank You that we have heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and that You have opened our hearts and minds to understand the gift of Salvation. Use us to share the truth of Jesus to others so that they may come to faith in Christ. Amen.

READING

Luke 10:1-9

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. ² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

⁵ “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

⁸ “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

REFLECTION

We don't often think about other disciples beyond the core group of 12, but in today's Scripture, we read about the seventy-two. Sent out in pairs, Jesus instructs them about the journey ahead. It is dangerous and important. Jesus' message can be applied to Christians today. Christian persecution is at an all time high. Open Doors, an NGO released their annual World Watch List that assesses 50 countries where Christians face severe persecution. Across 76 countries, 360 Million Christians face persecution. The top three countries where Christian face the harshest persecution are: Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia (source ). In face of danger and even death, Christians still gather discretely and still try to share the Good News of the gospel. They need our prayers of protection!

We too are called to be missional, which means being sent by God to realize God's mission in the world. The Diocese of Toronto has great resources on being missional . God calls some people to go to other countries to preach the Gospel but mostly, we are called to be missional in our communities. PWDRF is an Anglican agency for sustainability and relief that helps communities all over the world. Supporting this organization is one was you can be missional. We are blessed to live in Canada where we have the freedom to worship God openly. Remember those around the world who do not have this freedom and pray for them.

LENT CHECK IN

Consider donating to a missional organization

If you feel lead, pray for persecuted Christians around the world